ALAUX 004/15 summarizes decisions of the National Board regarding raising annual dues, restricting when boat shoes can be worn with the ODU, and allowing AUXOP credit for GCLAMS. The complete text follows:

1. At the 2015 Auxiliary National Training Meeting (NTRAIN) in St. Louis, MO in January, the following recommendations were placed before the National Board for vote. They are summarized with the Chief Director's final determinations below:

A. Recommendation: That the National dues for membership be raised by an amount of one dollar per month for each member of the Auxiliary effective in the 2016 dues cycle. In the 10 years since the last such increase, resource challenges have progressively continued. This dues increase is warranted to sustain the Auxiliary's ability to adequately address its managerial responsibilities, maintain marginal capacity to respond to unforeseeable surge scenarios, and develop member training that will meet Auxiliary needs well into the 21st century. Submitted by DNACO-MS.

B. Recommendation: That the Auxiliary Manual, Chapter 10, be amended to specify under what conditions boat shoes are authorized to be worn with the Operational Dress Uniform (ODU). Section H.4.e on page 10-79 (AUX MAN) states in part that boat shoes of either dark blue or brown color are authorized for wear by Auxiliarists as an option to 8-10 inch black safety boots while wearing the ODU. Wearing of boat shoes with non-slip soles is a safety consideration on fiberglass hulled vessels underway or dock side. Boat shoe soles are non-marring and these shoes have no cause on an OPFAC to contain steel inserts for toe protection nor to have oil resistant soles. It is suggested that personal safety during operational evolutions is the main rationale behind the spirit and intent of this authorization. However, many Auxiliarists demonstrate no hesitation in wearing boat shoes of various shades of the blue and brown spectrum in public settings where that sort of appearance looks unprofessional and does not match the standards of our active duty counterparts. This section of the chapter on uniforms should specify that wearing of boat shoes is to belimited to operational activities where personal safety is a concern and that boat shoes are specifically prohibited for wear in public settings, including Auxiliary unit meetings. During all non-operational activities,the 8-10 inch safety boot is the prescribed foot wear while the member is wearing the ODU.

The recommendation was amended to read as follows: That the Auxiliary Manual, Chapter 10, sub-divisions H.3.e. and H.4.e. be amended to provide authorization for the wear of boat shoes only when conducting vessel safety checks, when underway on an Auxiliary operational facility, when commuting to or from a point of Auxiliary patrol or safety check activity, or when specifically authorized by a Coast Guard order issuing authority. Submitted by DNACO-MS.

(1) National Board vote: For.

(2) Chief Director final action: Concur, approved, and effective immediately. The Coast Guard's pride and professionalism are conveyed first and foremost by sharp uniform appearance. The Auxiliary is applauded for its enduring concern for this tenet and for taking action like this.

C. Recommendation: That the Auxiliary Manual, Section 8.C.1.b.(2) be amended to allow AUXOP Leadership Training credit for the Coast Guard Leadership and Management (CGLAMS) Course. When the current AUXOP requirements were developed, CGLAMS was excluded. In fact, the AUXLAMS course closely parallels and was directly adapted from the CGLAMS course by converting the context of role-play scenarios from CG unit settings to flotilla settings, and eliminating the section on enlisted performance ratings. Both courses are considered of equal value for Auxiliarists.

The AUXLAMS course, now taught in split (A & B) format, is in high demand, and there are not enough courses to satisfy the students who want it. Some have traveled long distances, at their own expense, to attend. The Coast Guard has been reserving three seats in each CGLAMS class for Auxiliarists, but they have gone unfilled because there is no AUXOP credit. Approval of this recommendation would end an unnecessary and wasteful practice. Submitted by DVC-TL.

(1) National Board vote: For.

(2) Chief Director final action: Concur, approved, and effective immediately. Leadership training provided in CGLAMS is excellent, but as noted above it is nonetheless delivered in a much more active dutythan Auxiliary context. Approval is therefore not a precedent under which other courses may become alternatives for AUXOP program, Auxiliary C-school, Auxiliary Specialty Course, or other Auxiliary training program credit. Appropriate changes to AUXDATA will have to be made.

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